PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — It didn't take long for collegiate player Michael Phillips to prove that he belongs to the elite men's club of Gilas Pilipinas.
In his debut playing for the national squad in the Southeast Asian Games basketball competition, the La Salle center immediately showcased his wares as his boundless energy injected a new dimension in Gilas' brand of game, allowing the Filipinos to whip their Malaysian counterparts, 94-49.
One of only three players selected to join the team composed mostly of star players from the Philippine Basketball Association, Phillips debuted with a solid game of nine points on top of 15 rebounds, but it was his intensity and his nose for the ball that left not just the Gilas team, but also the Filipino fans amazed of what he can provide to the team.
The 6-foot-8 Phillips told Daily Tribune in a Viber call that his excitement carried away his game.
"I was super excited to perform, knowing that I was one among the chosen athletes to participate in the Southeast Asian Games. It was really an overwhelming experience," said Phillips.
He and his brother, Ben, were among those who attended the Gilas practices regularly and both of them were included in the training camp held at the Inspire Academy, but only Michael was able to make it to the final roster for the SEA Games here at the Elephant Hall 2 of Morodok Techo National Stadium.
But as early as the first day of the training in Manila, Michael was eager to prove something – and it was veteran center Christian Standhardinger, who acted like a mentor to him.
"As early as the first day, Christian walked over to us, pulled a char and talked to us," said Phillips. "He immediately made us feel that we belong to this elite team. I was so excited that he'll be able to take me under his wing."
As the pool narrowed down due to injuries to key big men like six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer and Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra, chances of Phillips cracking the line up became even more and his stock were even boosted when he was able to perform beyond expectations during the training sessions.
Phillips used Standhardinger as his ceiling and he knows he needs to keep at par with the Fil-German, who is just coming off playing his finest season in the PBA after being named the Best Player of the Conference of the Governors' Cup.
"What I like about Christian is his patience. He's a solid post player, but he's one player who would patiently wait for cutters or locate shooters before he makes a move," said Phillips. "You could tell that he's really a very intelligent player and I'm fortunate that I was taken under his wing."